50 first dance song ideas for your wedding

Can’t decide on a song for your first dance? There can be a lot of pressure to nail the perfect tune for your first spin as a married couple, from getting the mood right to finding lyrics that fit your story. If you’re struggling to narrow down the perfect first dance song for your wedding, we’ve included a few pointers on how to decide, plus a long list of ideas to help spark some inspiration.

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Your first dance as a married couple is a deeply personal moment (despite the fact that everyone’s watching you), which is why it’s important to get the vibe of your first dance song right. Do you have your heart set on something slow and traditional, like a ballad or a more emotional tune? Or would you prefer to dance your way into your new life together with a groovy, upbeat song?

Getting the mood right is super important, but there are other things you might want to think about when it comes to choosing a killer tune. Opting for a song with meaningful lyrics that reflect your relationship is important, or you might like to pick a song that you associate with a romantic memory, such as a first date or anniversary.

There are a few things to consider, and it might all sound a tad overwhelming, but your song choice doesn’t have to be perfect! The best first dance song is one that is meaningful to you both (not your guests!) and represents the relationship you’ve built together.

The bride and groom enjoying their first dance together at Pennyhill Park

You’ll find that a couple of artists appear more than once in this list, with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra producing a selection of great first dance songs that are too good not to include. Whether you plan on kicking off your new marriage with a choreographed number, or fancy swaying to your favourite ballad with the love of your life, we’ve included a huge range of first dance songs for every style and mood. Choose from traditional, modern, upbeat and emotional tunes.

How to decide on your first dance song

Struggling to make the perfect song choice? Once you’ve taken into account things like mood, lyrics and what matters the most to you, choosing the perfect first dance song will be a breeze.

Decide on the mood

The song you choose will have a big impact on the mood of your wedding. Are you looking for something slow and romantic that you can sway to together, or do you want to showcase your hard-rehearsed dance moves with something more upbeat? Have a think about what sort of vibe you want to create with your chosen song, then look for inspiration that reflects this i.e. traditional/old-school songs vs modern/upbeat songs.

Reflect on your relationship

The best first dance song is one that is meaningful to you both, whether it’s a song you listened to on your first date or a tune with lyrics that feels reflective of your relationship. The most important thing is that it resonates with you.

couple dancing in field
The happy couple sharing a moment at Copdock Hall

Ask friends and family

Speak to close friends and family to see if they have any ideas! Talking to loved ones is a helpful way to find inspiration: they might jog a memory you’d forgotten, or offer extra ideas you hadn’t thought of before. Sometimes, it helps to have a second opinion if you find yourself going over song choices again and again.

Check out wedding playlists

Pre-made wedding playlists on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube can be a great place to find lots of wedding songs in one place. Take a look at curated wedding playlists for different styles as well, from ‘most popular’ weddings songs to classic and contemporary tunes.

Don’t be afraid to be unconventional

There can be a lot of pressure to get your first dance song right, and part of that comes from wanting your guests to like it too. Although it can be tricky, we’d recommend putting everyone else out of your mind when choosing a first dance song, and instead focusing on exactly what you want. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and go for something unconventional!

You can find wedding playlists on YouTube: First Wedding Dance Songs - Best First Dance Playlist

50 first dance song ideas for your wedding

Our compilation of first dance songs includes everything from traditional to contemporary tunes depending on the vibe you're after. Once you’ve decided on a song you like, don’t forget to tell your DJ or live band!